Foueths to joseph



(N'o Model.)

E. R. SPENGER.

LAGING B'EARING.

No. 342,940. Patentea June 1, 1886,.

N. PETERS; mmm nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn IlNirnn STATES PATENT rrrcn.

ESTHER R. SPENCER, OF ROOHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF THREE- FOURTHS TO JOSEPH O. XVILSON AND HOBART T. ATKINSON, BOTH I OF SAME PLAOE.

LAciNe-BEARI/Ne.

EPECIPICATION forming part of Letters Patent No 342.940, ate June 1, 1886.

Application tilcd December 10, 1885. Serial No. 185,252. (No model.)

which the bearing rests and around whichsaid lacing-cord passes between the flaps. Various devices for this purpose are known, but are more or less complicated and expensive. In one case the bearing consistsof ashaft run through the double flaps riveted to Washers at the ends, and having a roller in the center. In another a shouldered shaft is used with two washers at each end, one outside and the other inside the flap, which is clamped between them, and a roller is used in the center. In another a hollow pulley-shaped bearing is used having eyelet-ends that clamp the eloth against the shoulders. In another an eyelet-shaft is used with a pulley thereon lying between the flaps, and the ends of the shaft upset to fasten the parts together.

It is the object of my invention to use but a single piece to form the bearing, the same being in the form of an elongated hollow. eyelet, which is clinched at the ends to hold the flaps of the cloth, with space enough between the flaps for the lacing-cord, thereby securing great cheapness over those deviees in which two or more parts are used, or when the device is of such complicated construction as to make it expensive to manu facture. An ordinary eyelet will not do, because it will close the sidesof the cloth and prevent the passage of the lacing-cord. Therefore, to allow passage of the cord the bearing must be of considerable length, and in upsetting the ends it must not be crushed together like a common eyelet.

In the drawings, Figure lis a diagram showing two pieccs of a corset with my improvement applied thereto. Fig. 2 is a vertical O'O'SS-Section of the double flaps, showing one of the bearings in place. Fig. 3 is a longitud-inal section of the bearing detached. Figs. 4, 5, and 6' are diagrams illustrating the method of attaching the bearings to the flaps.

a a show the double flaps to which the bearings' are to be attached. These flaps have in their outer edges, sewed in, very thin strips of metal b b, or other suitable material, which are used, not as stiffeners, but stays, to slrengthen the bearings and prevent them from beingpulled out.

c c c are the bearings, the same consisting of elongated eyelets of the form shown in Fig. 3. These eyelets are inserted through holes punched in the fabric, and are headed or pinched up at the ends, so as to hold outside the fiaps and prevent them from slipping off. The eyelets are of such length that when so nipped up at the ends they do not close the flaps together, but leave space between the flaps for the lacing-cord to pass through and run freely. It has been found that the cord will run easier and with less friction around a smooth stationary bearing than around a rotating pulley.

Figs. 4:. 5, and 6 illustrate the means of at-r taching the bearings without crushing them together. d is a Strip of metal Whose thickness is equal to the distance to be preserved between the flaps. This Strip is provided with notches ff on one edge large enoughto go over the eyelets. This strip is inserted flatwise between the double flaps, the notehes embracing the eyelets, and the ends of the latter can then be pounded or headed down, leaving the desired space between the flaps, after which the strip can be withdrawn.

The great advantage of this invention is its great Simplicity and cheapness, as being made of but one piece it is almost as cheap as common eyelets. It enables double flaps to be used, and allows the lacing-cord to pass around the bearings in the same manner as around pulleys, thus difi`ering from common eyelets, which can be laced only through the openings of the eyelets. It obviates the necessity of any washers or other attachments. It is much smpler, cheaper, and more effective than the ordinary devices usedin a similar way and made of two or more parts or of peculiar and expensive construction.

In addition to the above, the stays b bin the edges of the flaps serve an important purpose, which is to prevent the bearings from tearing out.

; Having described my invention, I c1ai|n-- 1. The combination, with the double flaps a a, of a bearing consistng of an elongated hollow eyelet inserted through holes in the flaps and headed up at the ends,'substantially I as described, leaving a space between the flaps for the passage of the lacing-cordsto run around the bearing, as set forth.

2. The combination, with the double flaps a a, of the bearings conssting of elongated 

